Community invited to free presentation by mental health author Kevin Hines
With their 16-mile hike completed, East Aurora High School Survivor Literature students are hoping to fill 1,500 seats for a free presentation from author and suicide survivor Kevin Hines.
Hines will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in the high school's Hawks Auditorium, 500 Tomcat Lane.
Hines, the author of "Cracked, Not Broken," will share his story about how a failed suicide attempt led him to become an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.
Near the beginning of his book, Hines says he wrote his book "for those who cannot and will never give voice to their reasons or regrets … I found my piece of hope, I came face to face with my destiny. Most importantly, throughout this journey I found my life."
Seating at the event will be first-come, first-serve. Tickets can be reserved by emailing East Aurora High School teachers Shane Gillespie at sgillespie@d131.org or Sarah Gillespie at sgillespie01@d131.org.
Hines is speaking at the school as the final part of the "Survivor Literature" project that included a 16-mile walk from 11 p.m. April 16, to 6 a.m. April 17.
More than 120 East Aurora High School students walked with nearly 40 Wheaton North High School students from Wheaton to downtown Aurora. Photos of the walk are available on the district's Facebook page.
Several local organizations will be available in the lobby with resources at the April 28 event, including: Fox Valley Hands of Hope, Gateway Foundation, Mutual Ground, Suicide Prevention Services, Taking Control Counseling, and the VNA.
Service projects inspired by nonfiction texts have become a tradition since Shane Gillespie started the "Survivor Literature" course eight years ago. The senior-level class asks students to examine nonfiction books about people who have overcome tremendous hardship.
Students selected "Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt," a 2013 book by Kevin Hines. The autobiographical novel talks about how the author's bipolar disorder convinced him to listen to voices telling him he had to die. Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge, but survived.
Hines will meet with classes on April 28 before his free community presentation.
The Tomcats participating in the class set a goal to collect $16,000 to support local organizations and bring Hines to the high school. Nearly $14,000 has been donated so far.
You can support the student's project by donating through www.gofundme.com/outofthedarkness16/
To follow the students' journey on social media, follow @TomcatsWalk on Twitter.
To learn more about the project, watch the video on YouTube.